Part Victorian holiday resort, part major tea-growing centre, Darjeeling sits 2200m up in the Himalayas. Over 70 years since the British departed, the echoes of colonialism remain, and the town is as popular as ever with holidaymakers from across the country.
Darjeeling’s greatest draw for visitors has to be its incredible mountain vistas – with Kanchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in the world, and a string of ice-capped peaks dominating the northern horizon.
Of course, the word ‘darjeeling’ immediately brings to mind the delicate black tea produced here, considered one of the finest in the world. Darjeeling’s tea production goes back almost 200 years to when the British first planted tea in the region in the mid-1800s. The climate and soil of Darjeeling proved ideal conditions, and soon the British had established numerous plantations in the area, with most workers being from Nepal and the Indian state of Sikkim.
Following independence in 1947, the estates were sold to Indian owners, and distinctive Darjeeling tea became increasingly popular around the world. Today, there are 87 tea estates spread over the seven valleys of the Darjeeling Hills, which together produce 9.6 million Kgs of tea each year.
Once in Darjeeling, the mountain range looming over the green hills draws your eye wherever you go. The district of Darjeeling spans 2100 sq km and offers some of the best trekking routes in the world. Longer treks afford once-in-a-lifetime views over four of the five highest peaks on the planet.
Day hikes, such as the one to Tonglu and Tumling, are the perfect one-day escape into the fresh mountain air, providing stunning views while passing through villages and encountering friendly locals. It is the ideal for option for those like us, who have limited time here, but can't leave without an encounter with these majestic Himalayan peaks.
DAY 0 // Departure
Meet at the airport at 10pm for our connecting flight to Bagdogra.
DAY 1 // Arrival & Tea Time
Transfer to Darjeeling, check in and drop our bags.
After a tasty local lunch, we’ll head to the Happy Valley Estate tea plantation to discover for ourselves how this globally popular drink is harvested and processed. The 177-hectare estate sits a lofty 2,100 metres above sea level, and we’ll take in the views and learn about tea making traditions that go back centuries.
Next, we’ll treat ourselves to Afternoon Tea at Glenary’s, one of the oldest confectioners and tea shops in Darjeeling – where we’ll enjoy British-style cakes and sip a brew made from local tea leaves.
DAY 2 // Day trek to Tonglu & Tumling (8km)
Mountain time! An early start to make the two-hour drive to the village of Dhotrey (altitude 2,600m). Our trek along the Nepal border will start from here, winding through forests and fields dotted with rhododendrons as we ascend to Tonglu (6km / 3hrs), located at an altitude of 3,080m. If we’re lucky enough to have a clear day, we’ll have a magnificent view of Kanchenjunga’s snowy peaks – and maybe even be able to see all the way to Mt. Everest!
From Tonglu, we’ll descend down winding paths to Tumling (2km) – which is technically in Nepal! In this area, the border between the countries is blurred, and we won’t even be aware when we cross it. Here, we’ll rest and have lunch with views of Kanchenjunga, before driving back to Darjeeling.
DAY 3 // Tiger Hill & Sightseeing
If the weather is clear, we’ll have a 4am wake-up call and drive to Tiger Hill (2,560m) to watch the spectacular sunrise over Mt. Khangchendzongha, which at 8,597m is Earth’s third highest peak.
After breakfast, we’ll hop aboard another icon of the area: the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. This “toy train” is a tiny, winding narrow-gauge railway with mini steam and diesel locomotives running through the landscape.
We’ll jump off at Ghoom (2,225 m), known for its Buddhist sites with mountain views. Our final stop of the trip is the colorful Yiga Choeling Monastery, popularly known as Ghoom Monastery – famous for its 4.5-meter statue of the Maithreya Buddha, painted in gold and encrusted with precious stones.
After lunch, we’ll head to the airport for our evening flight back home.
Level of difficulty: Easy to moderate
Activities: Sightseeing, hiking
Accommodation & meals: Hotel, double sharing rooms.
Cost: AED 3,750 incl. flights until DEC 10th.
Specifically excluded: visa.
Visas: Most of nationalities can obtain e-visa to India: otherwise you ll need to visit BLS to obtain the same.
See yah in Darjeeling x
Trekkup Crew
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